Unit Director - 3G Behavioral Health

UPMC; Fairview Township (York County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

100% Tuition Reimbursement

Vacation accrual

Competitive wages

Work-life balance

Job summary

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Registered Nurse with leadership experience for an exciting opportunity as a Unit Director for our 3G Behavioral Health unit. The Unit Director will lead and manage the 3G unit 24/7 to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care and oversee clinical, and administrative functions.

The role offers a Monday-Friday schedule with leadership responsibilities across clinical and operational domains, including strategic planning, change management, and staff development.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with leadership experience.
• Ability to lead clinical, quality and operational initiatives.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Behavioral Health Unit to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Establish and monitor clinical, quality, financial, and operational goals aligned with organizational priorities.
• Utilize evidence-based practice, quality metrics, and patient outcomes data to drive improvements.
• Ensure compliance with nursing practice standards and regulatory requirements.
• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment focused on accountability, respect, and inclusion.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop staff and nursing leaders to support growth and succession planning.
• Lead governance, strategic planning, and change initiatives in the unit.
• Manage budgets, staffing, and resources to ensure efficient operations.
• Partner with physicians, interdisciplinary teams, and external stakeholders to enhance care and workforce development.
• Advance a culture of safety, quality improvement, and relationship-based care.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Change management

Patient-centered care

Quality improvement

Job description

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Registered Nurse with leadership experience for an exciting opportunity as a Unit Director for our 3G Behavioral Health unit!

In this challenging and rewarding position, the Unit Director maintains 24-hour accountabilityfor leading and managing the assigned area in order to ensure an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace for staff, and overseeing clinical, and administrative/business functions.

About UPMC Altoona’s 3G Behavioral Health unit:

Our 34-bed inpatient Behavioral Health Unit provides acute psychiatric services to adult patients experiencing a wide range of behavioral health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, and co-occurring substance use disorders. As a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, Mental Health Workers, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals, we are dedicated to helping patients stabilize, heal, and develop the skills needed for long-term success. Through therapeutic support, medication management, patient education, and coping skill development, we deliver compassionate, patient-centered care tailored to each individual's needs.

Guided by a mission of service excellence, respect, and high standards of care, our team is committed to providing behavioral health services with dignity, compassion, and teamwork. Patients receive daily support from psychiatrists who closely monitor treatment progress and medication effectiveness, ensuring the highest quality of care throughout their recovery journey. Our Behavioral Health Unit offers a rewarding and supportive work environment where a diverse team of professionals works together to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients every day.

Why choose UPMC Altoona?

• Work/Life Balance – primarily a Monday-Friday schedule, dayshifts
• Competitive wages
• An incomparable benefit package (found to be 20% higher in value than other healthcare employers in our market!)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for your BSN/MSN degree through approved Universities.
• Generous vacation accrual
• Plus, this position is eligible for a generous Sign-On Bonus! External applicants will receive $15,000 in exchange for a 2-year work commitment!

Responsibilities:

Clinical & Operational Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Behavioral Health Unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Establish and monitor clinical, quality, financial, and operational goals that align with organizational priorities.
• Utilize evidence-based practice, quality metrics, and patient outcomes data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, professional, and organizational standards of nursing practice.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment built on trust, accountability, respect, and inclusion.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop staff and nursing leaders to support professional growth, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Support performance management, employee engagement, conflict resolution, and staff retention initiatives.
• Promote continuing education, specialty certification, competency validation, and lifelong learning.

Strategic Planning & Change Management

• Engage staff and stakeholders in shared governance, departmental planning, and decision-making processes.
• Lead change initiatives and operational improvements while supporting staff through transitions.
• Build strong partnerships with physicians, interdisciplinary teams, academic institutions, and community stakeholders to enhance patient care and workforce development.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage department budgets, staffing plans, and resources to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and workforce plans that support patient care needs and employee well-being.
• Promote fiscal stewardship and accountability for resource utilization.

Patient & Quality Outcomes

• Advance a culture of excellence by championing patient safety, quality improvement, and relationship-based care.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff engagement.
• Support initiatives that enhance the clinical, psychological, and emotional well-being of patients and their families.